1806 Senator
Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration
and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs—In regard to the Port Hedland
Detention Centre:

(1) Given
that a large proportion of inmates has attempted suicide at least once,
do guards carry knives at all times to cut down detainees who attempt
to hang themselves.

(2) How
many attempted suicides have there been in Refugee/Asylum seeker detention
centres in the past 2 years.

(3) How
does this figure compare to the Australian average per head of population.

1807 Senator
Evans: To ask the Minister for Health and Ageing—

(1) In
relation to the Minister’s press release on 12 February 2003 announcing
that private health funds had agreed to phase out gym shoes, tents and
golf clubs from the ancillary benefits offered: (a) has the agreement
with the Australian Health Insurance Association (AHIA) been secured
in writing; if so, can a copy of the agreement be provided; (b) when
did the Minister ask the health fund industry to review its products
to ensure they funded only items which had a ‘direct health benefit’;
(c) when did the industry first report back to the Minister on the review;
and (d) when did industry first notify the Minister that it intended
to exclude some items from ancillary tables.

(2) Can
a copy be provided of: (a) the letter from the private health industry
to the Minister referred to on page 133 of the Community Affairs Legislation
Committee Hansard of 13 February 2003; and (b) the code that industry
was stated to be developing on ancillary benefits.

(3) Has
the code referred to in paragraph (2) received relevant adoption or
approval and commenced operation; if so, when.

(4) Has
the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission objected to the withdrawal
of any benefits for so-called ‘lifestyles’ ancillaries; if so, how
is the industry resolving this objection.

(5) Can
a copy be provided of the schedule for phasing out each ancillary item
that was agreed with the AHIA, showing each item that must cease being
offered by all health funds and on what dates these cessations must
occur.

(6) Can
the Minister confirm that since the agreement with the AHIA was made,
all private health insurance funds that offered lifestyle ancillaries
have withdrawn them; if not, why not.

(7) In
relation to the Minister’s estimate that the cost of so-called ‘lifestyle’
ancillary benefits is about $70 million a year, what percentage of this
does the Government estimate has been paid for gym shoes, compact discs,
tents and golf clubs.

(8) Why
has the Government not prohibited funds by law from offering lifestyle
ancillary benefits.

(9) In
relation to the Minister’s request to the health funds to examine
all ancillaries to make sure they have a ‘direct health benefit’,
what definition or guidance does the Minister give to health funds to
comply with this request.

(10) Are
there any products currently offered to Australians by private health
insurance funds that the Minister believes do not have a direct health
benefit; if so, can a list of these products be provided.

(11) In
relation to the benefits listed in paragraph (10): (a) has the Minister
requested each of the funds offering them to review them; and (b) when
did the Minister make such requests.

1808 Senator
Evans: To ask the Minister for Health and Ageing—

(1) Are
there any plans to shift the Commonwealth’s current funding and administrative
responsibility for Aged Care Assessment Teams; if so: (a) what are these
plans; and (b) what is the timeframe for any proposed changes.

(2) Can
the Minister confirm whether there are any plans to outsource or contract
out the function of Aged Care Assessment Teams on a national or regional
basis.

(3) Can
the Minister confirm whether there are any plans for the Commonwealth
to take full responsibility for funding and administering Aged Care
Assessment Teams.